The Dominican Republic’s head of state, President Luis Abinader, has touched down in Panama to take part in the high-profile World Free Zones Congress, a key global gathering focused on advancing cross-border economic collaboration and special trade zone development. As a featured guest of the event, Abinader is set to deliver the opening ceremony’s keynote address, where he will lay out the Dominican Republic’s strategic vision for attracting international capital and highlight untapped opportunities for global businesses.
Central to his trip is a packed schedule of targeted strategic meetings designed to draw new foreign investment into the Dominican Republic, with a specific focus on three high-growth sectors: logistics, advanced manufacturing, and the development of specialized free trade zones.
Beyond the congress agenda, Abinader has planned formal bilateral talks with his Panamanian counterpart, President José Raúl Mulino, as well as a meeting with Mohammed Al Zarooni, president of the World Free Zones Organization. Discussions between the two national leaders will center on identifying new avenues to deepen bilateral cooperation and expand the scope of economic and trade relations between the Dominican Republic and Panama.
Abinader’s engagement also includes separate sessions with senior industry leaders and government officials: he will meet with top executives from global logistics firm DP World, Panama’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Julio Moltó, and Martín Pedersen, president of the International Free Zones Authority. A key milestone expected during the visit is the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Dominican delegation and the World Free Zones Organization, a pact that will formalize cooperation frameworks and facilitate the exchange of industry best practices for sustainable free zone development.
Accompanying President Abinader on the official visit are three senior Dominican officials: Minister Eduardo Sanz Lovatón, Biviana Riveiro, and Dominican Ambassador Roberto Salcedo, who will support the delegation’s engagement across all scheduled events and initiatives.